most important features have been eliminated. Signs and wonders and
miraculous gifts, together with the fruits of the Spirit, set forth by
the Apostle Paul in first Cor. 12th have disappeared, and but the empty
powerless form is found to-day among the children of men. The shadow
alone remains; the substance has departed. And why? Because mankind
have departed from the faith of the ancients. The rights, powers and
privileges of the Apostolic Priesthood have long since been withdrawn
from man, and all who officiate in religious rites do so without auth-
ority from the living God.

If we examine and see how the servants of God were called to the
ministry in other ages we can discover a guide to direct us in obtain-
ing authority in this age. Moses was called from out the burning bush
by God Himself (Ex. 3) and when he was about to be succeeded by Joshua
as leader, Hhe conferred upon Joshua the holy priesthood by the laying
on of his hands. (See Deut. 34, 9) "And Joshua, the son of Nun was full
of the spirit of wisdom for Moses had laid his hands upon him." Jesus
when He entered upon His ministry, called twelve and ordained them, viz;
"And He ordained twelve that they should be with Him and that He might
send them forth to preach." (Mark 3, 14) Again He says "Ye have ^not^ chosen
Me but I have chosen you and ordained you." (John 15, 16). Jesus said
in His prayer unto His Father, "As Thou hast sent Me into the world even
so have I also sent them into the world." (John 17, 18). The Apostle
Paul evidently had this question of authority to meet, as he gave vent
to his feelings in the following forcible language, "Whereunto I am or-
dained a preacher and an Apostle (I speak the truth in Christ and lie
not), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity." (I Tim. 2, 7). It
was very gratifying no doubt to the Apostle Paul to be able to declare
with such emphasis the fact of his ordination, and no wonder when we
consider the way in which he was called. He was justly entitled to de-
clare it, as will be seen by the manner of his calling. "As they minis-
tered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Ghost said: Separate me Barnabus
and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had
fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away, so
they being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, &c" (Acts 13, 2-4) Paul then
was evidently called by direct revelation of the Holy Ghost, and when
the hands of the Prophets were laid upon him, he was sent away, as also
was his companion Barnabus.

The author of the Epistle to the Hebrews makes a most positive de-
claration on this question. He says: "For every High Priest taken from
among men is ordained for men, in things pertaining to God that he may
offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins; And no man taketh this
honor to himself, but he that is called of God as was Aaron." (Heb. 5,4)

most important features have been eliminated. Signs and wonders and miraculous gifts, together with the fruits of the Spirit, set forth by the Apostle Paul in first Cor. 12th have disappeared, and but the empty powerless form is found to-day among the children of men. The shadow alone remains; the substance has departed. And why? Because mankind have departed from the faith of the ancients. The rights, powers and privileges of the Apostolic Priesthood have long since been withdrawn from man, and all who officiate in religious rites do so without authority from the living God.

If we examine and see how the servants of God were called to the ministry in other ages we can discover a guide to direct us in obtaining authority in this age. Moses was called from out the burning bush by God Himself (Ex. 3) and when he was about to be succeeded by Joshua as leader,he conferred upon Joshua the holy priesthood by the laying on of his hands. (See Deut. 34, 9) "And Joshua, the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom for Moses had laid his hands upon him." Jesus when He entered upon His ministry, called twelve and ordained them, viz; "And He ordained twelve that they should be with Him and that He might send them forth to preach." (Mark 3, 14) Again He says "Ye have not chosen Me but I have chosen you and ordained you." (John 15, 16). Jesus said in His prayer unto His Father, "As Thou hast sent Me into the world even so have I also sent them into the world." (John 17, 18). The Apostle Paul evidently had this question of authority to meet, as he gave vent to his feelings in the following forcible language, "Whereunto I am ordained a preacher and an Apostle (I speak the truth in Christ and lie not), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity." (I Tim. 2, 7). It was very gratifying no doubt to the Apostle Paul to be able to declare with such emphasis the fact of his ordination, and no wonder when we consider the way in which he was called. He was justly entitled to declare it, as will be seen by the manner of his calling. "As they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Ghost said: Separate me Barnabus and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed and laid their hands on them, they sent them away, so they being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, &c" (Acts 13, 2-4) Paul then was evidently called by direct revelation of the Holy Ghost, and when the hands of the Prophets were laid upon him, he was sent away, as also was his companion Barnabus.

The author of the Epistle to the Hebrews makes a most positive declaration on this question. He says: "For every High Priest taken from among men is ordained for men, in things pertaining to God that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins; And no man taketh this honor to himself, but he that is called of God as was Aaron." (Heb. 5,4)